Despite heavy doses of rain and wind, the Grand Valley State University women’s golf team earned a second place finish over the weekend at the Tom Kirinovic Classic, hosted at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids.

The Lakers had three golfers place in the top-15 and were led by junior Sarah Hoffman’s first-place finish. Hoffman clinched the title on the fourth hole of a playoff and carded a 145 ( 1) during the tournament.

“Sarah played very steady all weekend,” said GVSU head coach Rebecca Mailloux, a two-time NGCA East Region Coach of the Year. “She didn’t have a lot of bogeys or birdies, but she was consistently reaching par on most holes.”

GVSU totaled a score of 608 ( 32) to finish in a second-place tie with the California University of Pennsylvania. Tournament champion Ashland University finished the two-round tournament with a 603 ( 27), while Indianapolis (614, 38) and host Ferris State (631, 55) rounded out the field.

Senior Laker Allie Tyler finished in a tie for fourth with a score of 149 ( 5), and sophomore Ashley Beard tied for 13th place (154, 10).

“It was definitely nice today to have all five scores in the 70s,” said Hoffman, a 2010 All-American selection. “Team consistency is going to be key for the rest of the season. Low rounds from our No. 4 and 5 players will help take the pressure off of everyone.”

While the second place finish was a good way to start the season, Mailloux said the tournament-long consistency of Hoffman and Tyler was important for the entire team.

“The course played a little longer than it usually does, but I was pleased with the leadership our upperclassman showed,” Mailloux said. “They could have let the rain and wind get to them; it was good to see everyone stay level and composed.”

The Lakers will return to action at the Mary Fossum Invitational in East Lansing on Sept. 25 and 26.

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